The acclaimed actress was in downtown Kingston celebrating her Jamaican heritage at the ArtWalk Festival
Joining a long list of celebrities (Cardi B, Offset, Tracee Ellis Ross) that have recently visited Jamaica, Kerry Washington was the latest to descend upon the Caribbean country, soaking up the ambiance of Kingston while enjoying the sights and sounds associated with the island. The award-winning actress, whose Jamaican roots come from her mother, Dr. Valerie Washington, shared snapshots of her experience in the capital city with her extensive following of more than seven million on Instagram and over 900K on TikTok.
Currently on a break from filming, Washington documented her experience at the Kingston Creative Art Walk, capturing moments through photographs that she shared recently. The visit allowed her to embrace the artistic atmosphere and creative offerings of the event.
What is ArtWalk Festival?
The ArtWalk Festival celebrates Kingston as a UNESCO Creative City of music and serves as a platform to highlight Jamaican culture, creativity, and the talents of local artisans. The event features live musical performances, poetry readings, and interactive opportunities such as painting and drawing classes. Attendees have the opportunity to explore the Art District in downtown Kingston, which is adorned with vibrant murals and lined with skilled local artisans showcasing their unique works and products for sale.
Kerry used her time at ArtWalk to take photos in front of one of the murals titled ‘Daughters of Oshun’. Created by Errol Keane in 2020, this captivating artwork serves as a backdrop to capture the essence of Washington’s visit.
Kerry Washington Stuns Colorful Maxi Dress and Sky-High 7-Inch Heels in Jamaica
Kerry has been recognized as a serious fashionista on the Hollywood scene for years now and for her trip to Jamaica, the Scandal actress did not disappoint! Wearing a colorful Johanna Ortiz maxi dress that featured a crisscross front and an all-over leaf print, the long-sleeve piece is from the designer’s pre-fall 2023 collection. Washington accessorized the look with a pair of gold hoops and an assortment of rings. She kept her dark brown tresses in a dreaded wavy style complementing her minimal makeup that featured a dark mauve lip.
The glowing look was created by hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant and makeup artist Tisa Howard. The actress completed the look by slipping into a pair of brown Larroude sandals. The leather heels featured a rounded toe decorated by a thin toe strap. The ankle strap of the sandals supported the towering height coming from the platform sole and block heel that was about 7 inches tall. For a summer glow-up, Kerry took up the challenge and excelled on all fronts!
Kerry parties It up with Jamaican Celebrities Sean Paul and Ding Dong.
Kerry showed that she knows how to let her hair down and have some serious fun when she was spotted out and about on her Caribbean vacation. She took the opportunity to explore her Jamaican roots alongside popular artists Ding Dong and Sean Paul and seemed to be living it up!. The actress was seen enthusiastically participating in Uptown Mondays, a well-known dancehall event, where she showcased her impressive dancing skills alongside Ding Dong. Washington also posted a video of herself strutting to the Fugees’ ‘Killing Me Softly’ in downtown Kingston for her fans via social media.
A Prolific Career
Washington has had a successful career took in Hollywood for decades, first gaining attention in 2004 with her notable role as Della Bea Robinson, the wife of musician Ray Charles, in the biographical film Ray. Her exceptional performance earned her the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture award at the NAACP Image Awards in 2005. She further garnered recognition for her portrayal of Olivia Pope, the lead character in the ABC TV series Scandal, which spanned over seven seasons. For her riveting portrayal, Washington received two Primetime Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, a SAG nomination, and two additional NAACP Image Awards.
Aside from acting, Washington is known for her advocacy work, particularly in promoting equal representation and diversity in the entertainment industry. She has been recognized for her contributions both on and off-screen, and her impact as a trailblazing African American actress continues to inspire many.
What’s Next For Washington?
Where can fans of Kerry Washington’s work see her next? The actress will next be seen in Tyler Perry’s upcoming Netflix film, titled Six Triple Eight, which will also star Oprah Winfrey. In addition to her acting role, Washington will also serve as an executive producer for the film, which aims to portray the remarkable and inspiring true story of the World War II battalion consisting of all-Black, all-female soldiers.
While the group received some recognition and earned medals during their time of service, it wasn’t until the Obama administration and subsequent years that their achievements began to receive the acknowledgment they deserved. Sadly, today, it is reported that only six members of the battalion are still alive, making their story all the more significant and deserving of the spotlight it will receive in this upcoming film.